Health

Life After Abuse Foundation Appoints New Advisory Council to Advance Men’s Mental Health Initiative

Published

2 years ago

April 1, 2024

287 Views

A leading non-profit organization dedicated to providing mental health support to men in need and advocating for the advancement of men’s mental health support, Life After Abuse Foundation (LAAF), proudly announces the appointment of highly skilled professionals to its Advisory Council.

The new council members bring a wealth of experience and expertise, underscoring LAAF’s commitment to enhancing mental health support, particularly for men.

Afoma Chiegboka, an award-winning experienced storyteller with over 13 years of experience in the design industry, excels in Product Management, Operations, Business Writing, Editing, and Public Speaking. Additionally, she holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree, further enriching her skill set as a communications specialist.

Afoma’s adept storytelling abilities and comprehensive understanding of communication strategies will play a pivotal role in shaping LAAF’s narrative and effectively reaching out to men in need.

Femi Boboye, Managing Partner at Pelse Consulting, brings expertise in organizational development and strategic planning. His insights will optimize LAAF’s operations and maximize impact, ensuring efficient resource allocation to support men’s mental health initiatives.

Ikeoluwa Olatoke, a legal practitioner with experience at Damod Law Practice, specializes in legal research, negotiation, and drafting contracts.

Ikeoluwa’s memberships in the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK (ACIarb) and the Africa Young Arbitrators enrich LAAF’s legal framework, ensuring robust legal structures to support men’s mental health advocacy and services.

Immaculate Odekina, a Legal Practitioner with over 12 years of post-call experience, specializes in commercial/corporate law, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, energy law, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

Her expertise will ensure LAAF’s compliance with legal regulations and facilitate the development of partnerships to expand mental health support for men.

Jeremiah Okpako, a business professional with over 15 years of experience in business development and sales across various industries, will strengthen LAAF’s outreach efforts with his strategic insights and extensive network. His connections will help amplify LAAF’s message and increase access to mental health resources for men.

Jide Ogunleye, an IT professional with over 16 years of experience, founded Ritemate Technologies, catering to clients like MTN, Stanbic, Mouka, Amber Energy, UBA plc, Fidelity Bank, Arik Air, and Nigerian Communication Commission.

Jide’s expertise in technology and innovation will be invaluable in advancing LAAF’s initiatives, particularly in developing digital platforms for mental health support and awareness.

Munirat Layeni, a Mental Health Professional with over 5 years of experience with the NHS and LAAF, served as a Partnership Strategist at LAAF for 3 years. With a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Hertfordshire, Munirat’s expertise in strategic partnership complements LAAF’s mission, fostering collaborations to expand mental health services for men.

Rotimi Aroge, the MD/CEO of Global Foremost Impressions Ltd, aligns his advocacy for drug-induced road accident prevention with the SDG. Rotimi’s commitment to road accident prevention earned him a finalist position in the University of Sussex qualifying 2024 Big Idea Contest (BIC). His dedication to public health and safety aligns with LAAF’s mission to provide comprehensive mental health support for men.

Temidayo Musa brings over 7 years of expertise in program management and communications, championing open data and citizen participation for enhanced community development.

His experience will contribute to LAAF’s efforts to develop and implement effective programs for men’s mental health support, ensuring that services are tailored to meet the needs of diverse communities.

Yinka Olonode, with over a decade of experience in finance and investment, runs a SEC licensed Investment management company and a retail credit firm called Penny Lender. Yinka is a leading voice in investment management and humanitarian advocacy.

His financial acumen will support LAAF’s sustainability and growth, ensuring continued access to mental health resources for men.

The appointment of these professionals underscores LAAF’s commitment to advancing men’s mental health support and fostering a society free from stigma. With their collective expertise and passion, the Advisory Council is poised to drive meaningful change and empower men on their journey to healing.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact info@laafng.org.

About Life After Abuse Foundation (LAAF): Life After Abuse Foundation (LAAF), a non-profit organization founded by Halima Layeni is dedicated to providing education, mentorship, and mental health support to boys and men globally. Through various initiatives such as policy engagement, school outreaches, media activism, and psychotherapy, we aim to advance health equity, gender equality, combat gender-based violence, and foster a community of healing and support.

You can Connect with them on:
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/lifeafterabusefoundation
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LifeAfterAbuseF
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterabusefoundation/

Health

Federal Ministry of Health Orders Immediate Retirement of Directors After 8-Year Tenure

Published

11 hours ago

February 17, 2026

Charles Flames

14 Views

The Federal Ministry of Health has directed the immediate retirement of all directors who have served at least eight years in the directorate cadre, effective from December 31, 2025.

The directive, outlined in a memo signed by Tetshoma Dafeta, Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, enforces the eight-year tenure policy for directors as stipulated in Section 020909 of the Revised Public Service Rules 2021.

It applies to directors across the ministry, federal hospitals, agencies, and parastatals under its supervision.

The move aligns with a broader Federal Government circular from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, which reiterated the compulsory retirement rule for directors (Grade Level 17 or equivalent) after eight years in the position, as part of efforts to ensure compliance across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

The policy has sparked concerns from the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), which has criticized what it describes as selective implementation of retirement age reviews in the health sector.

JOHESU argues that such policies favor certain cadres over others, potentially undermining equity, teamwork, morale, and overall efficiency in healthcare delivery.

The ministry’s action follows recent government-wide enforcement of tenure limits for senior civil servants, including permanent secretaries. Affected directors are to be disengaged immediately, with institutions required to implement the directive without delay.

Health

More than 95,000 died of suicide so far in 2026 — WHO

Certain vulnerable populations face disproportionately higher risks, including refugees and migrants, indigenous peoples, LGBTI persons, prisoners, and others who experience discrimination, social exclusion or limited access to support services.

Published

2 weeks ago

February 4, 2026

OCHEFA

71 Views

World Health Organization (WHO) data reported that more than 95,000 people have died by suicide globally since the start of 2026.

According to Worldometer, the figure as of the time of this report, stands at 95, 406 so far in 2026.

The early-year toll highlights the continuing scale of suicide as a major global public health challenge.

WHO estimates show that about 727, 000 people die by suicide every year worldwide, with millions more attempting to take their own lives.

Health experts note that while annual suicide figures are usually released with a reporting delay, real-time counters help illustrate how frequently lives are lost to a largely preventable cause.

Suicide occurs across all regions and age groups, but WHO data indicate that it remains one of the leading causes of death among young people aged 15 to 29, ranking third globally in that age group in 2021.

The impact extends far beyond individuals, leaving long-lasting emotional, social and economic consequences for families, communities and entire nations.

Contrary to common assumptions, suicide is not limited to high-income countries.

WHO reports that nearly three-quarters (73%) of global suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries, where access to mental health care and social support services is often limited.

While suicide is closely linked to mental health conditions such as depression and alcohol use disorders, particularly in high-income countries,WHO notes that many suicides occur impulsively during moments of acute crisis.

These crises may stem from financial stress, relationship conflicts, chronic pain, illness, exposure to violence, displacement, or a profound sense of isolation.

WHO stresses that suicide is preventable and requires a coordinated public health response rather than isolated interventions.

Evidence-based and often low-cost measures, such as restricting access to lethal means, promoting responsible media reporting, strengthening life skills among adolescents, and ensuring early identification and follow-up care for those at risk, have been shown to save

Health

WHO: United States membership withdrawal takes effect

Reacting to the development, WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed regret over the decision and urged the United States to reconsider.

Published

4 weeks ago

January 23, 2026

OCHEFA

115 Views

The United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO) officially took effect on Thursday, exactly one year after President Donald Trump ordered the country to pull out of the global health body.

Under the terms governing WHO membership, a withdrawal becomes effective after a mandatory one-year notice period, which expired on Thursday 22 January, following the executive order signed by Trump shortly after he took office in 2025.

Although the agreement requires the United States to settle all outstanding financial obligations before withdrawal, that condition has not been met. However, the WHO has no legal mechanism to enforce payment or prevent a member state from exiting the organisation.

Reacting to the development, WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed regret over the decision and urged the United States to reconsider.

“The withdrawal is a loss for the United States and also a loss for the rest of the world,” Tedros said, adding that the organisation remains open to the country’s return.

President Trump had justified the decision by accusing the WHO of mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic, which originated in Wuhan, China, as well as other global health emergencies.

He also cited the organisation’s alleged failure to implement necessary reforms and its inability to operate independently of political influence from member states.